West Vincent man arrested for growing marijuana in his basement

WEST CHESTER — A man who thought “he could outsmart the police” by growing marijuana at his home in a secluded area of West Vincent has been arrested.

Christian R. Titone, 53, was found in his home when Chester County Detectives, members of the Chester County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Strike Force, and the Pennsylvania State Police’s Clandestine Laboratory Team executed a search warrant at 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 7, said Tom Hogan, Chester County district attorney.

“(Titone) thought he could outsmart the police trying to grow marijuana in a secluded location in Chester County,” Hogan said. “He was wrong.”

According to police, officers found approximately 180 marijuana plants of 12 strains including Afrodite Mother, JBS Pineapple and Ace of Spades, in the basement of Titone’s home. Along with the plants they found dried marijuana ready for sale.

Titone also allegedly had scales, grinders, vaporizers and other smoking devices in the house, police said.

He also set up a sophisticated surveillance system that allowed him to monitor the inside and outside of his home, police said.

Hogan commended the county detectives and assisting departments saying, “Chester County is a great place to live because our law enforcement team is strong.”

Titone was charged with one felony count of manufacturing with the intent to deliver and two misdemeanor charges, one for intent to deliver and one for possession of drug paraphenalia, according to court documents.

He is currently in Chester County Prison because he was unable to post the $100,000 bail set by District Judge James DeAngelo.

Titone’s next hearing is scheduled for May 23 at 9 a.m. before DeAngelo.